Running Windows 11 on Mac M1: Limitations and Solutions

Are you considering running Windows 11 on your Mac M1 computer? While it's possible, there are some limitations to be aware of, particularly when it comes to using certain hardware, games, and apps. In this article, we'll explore the challenges and provide solutions for running Windows 11 on Apple M1 and M2 computers.

Understanding the Limitations

The Arm version of Windows 11 has specific restrictions that can impact your ability to use various types of hardware, games, and apps, including those that rely on DirectX 12 or OpenGLES 3.0 or greater. To overcome these limitations, you may need to use a virtualization solution.

Parallels Desktop: A Solution for Running Arm Windows 11

Parallels Desktop version 18 is an authorized solution for running Arm versions of Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Enterprise in a virtual environment on Apple M1 and M2 computers. This allows you to run Windows 11 on your Mac, but with some limitations.

Windows 365: A Cloud-Based Solution

Another option is to use Windows 365, which supports nested virtualization for testing, running emulators, ensuring full application compatibility, and more. With Windows 365, you can securely stream your full, personalized Windows 11 experience to many devices, including Mac computers built with M-series processors.

Two Ways to Use Windows with Mac

If an option is not available, there are two different ways to use Windows with Mac:

1. Virtualization: You can run a virtual machine (VM) on your Mac using software like Parallels Desktop.

2. Cloud-based solution: You can use a cloud-based service like Windows 365 to stream your Windows 11 experience to your Mac.

Troubleshooting Java Issues

I recently experienced an issue with Java exiting abruptly and randomly while running a Maven command. I tried adding -XX:+HeapDumpOnOutOfMemoryError to the MAVEN_ OPTS environment variable, but it did not seem to have any results. The issue persisted even after reinstalling Parallels and the VM.

In conclusion, while running Windows 11 on Mac M1 computers can be challenging due to limitations and issues with certain software, there are solutions available. By using virtualization software like Parallels Desktop or cloud-based services like Windows 365, you can run Windows 11 on your Mac with varying degrees of success.

Windows 11 mac m1